South Sarasota County enrollment hits new high for USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice

SARASOTA, FL (September 19, 2006) – The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice started their 2006 Fall semester with a record enrollment of 280 students in August.

 The south Sarasota County program started in the spring of 2004 with only nine classes and 66 students, and in 2 years has grown to include 21 classes and almost 300 students.

“People are realizing that they can take a majority of their USF classes here in the south county area, near where they live or work,” said Susan Freeman, director of the USF Sarasota-Manatee south county program at MCC Venice.  “We have an improved class schedule, and hope to improve it even more as time goes on.”

The south county program is also offering its first graduate course in Library and Information Sciences this semester.  Freeman hopes that the addition of classes and community awareness will help the program continue to set new enrollment records in the future.

One indicator that USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice is on the right track is the new permanent state-funded status of the program. The program was previously piloted and funded with private grants from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice.  Beginning this fall, the State of Florida has provided permanent public funding – which has helped to provide a full-time academic advisor at the location. Likewise, the state funding enables the USF south county program to continue to offer an ever-increasing amount of coursework towards a bachelor’s degree in a number of different academic areas.

In an effort to address the growth and the needs of area residents and businesses, Freeman formed an advisory council comprised of local leaders to help guide the program’s growth and development.

“We do want to continue increasing enrollment and awareness,” Freeman said.  “As we become aware of additional academic needs in the area, we want to provide more courses and programs.  Our advisory council helps us gauge the needs of the community and helps us answer those needs.” 

Located in South Sarasota County at 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice offers coursework to people in North Port, Port Charlotte, Venice, Englewood, Punta Gorda and the surrounding area. The program serves people of all ages who have at least an associate’s degree or 60 transferable credit hours -- and who want to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s main regional campus recently relocated to its new address at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail. Students who take USF classes at the south county program are also eligible to take additional classes at the main regional campus.

For more information about USF Sarasota-Manatee at MCC Venice – including classes, admissions and financial aid -- contact the USF Sarasota-Manatee South County Student Affairs office at (941) 408-1577 or visit http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/south/.